Varsity Soccer |

GAME RECAP:

Palatine has always been a difficult place for our Broncos to win, and while we managed to get the ‘W’ tonight, it was definitely a difficult task.

The first thirty minutes of the match saw much better soccer from the Pirates than from our team, but as has become a trend, our team didn’t allow it to shake us from  what we set out to accomplish on the night.  After allowing the first seven shots of the game to go to Palatine, the game turned suddenly when right back Hudson Walsh slipped a ball into the feet of Klaus Pallan and Pallan made a determined, knifing run into the Palatine box where he was tripped up and a PK was awarded.  Pallan stepped up and placed the spot kick to the keepers right, into the back of the net.

The goal picked the play of our team up significantly, and from there we closed the half out shooting Palatine five shots to one.  The half arrived and we discussed the need to possess much better.  We also encouraged our defensive unit to focus on targeting our own players on clearances, and the need to foul less as to stop Palatine from being able to drop a continuous flow of balls into our goalmouth.

The second half saw our team play much better soccer.  After adding some great minutes in the latter part of the first half, forward Michael Blanke was rewarded with a second half start and he did not waste the opportunity.  Blanke unraveled the PHS back line on a number of occasions, getting endline and also once into the box for a shot of his own that went just wide to the left.  Perhaps the offensive highlight of the second half came when Blanke skillfully sliced behind the Palatine defense and then along the endline, eventually finding the feet of Klaus Pallan in front of the goal.  Klaus caught the under side of the ball by the slightest sliver and rattled the ball off of the crossbar.

The game stayed at 1-0 for our Broncos for quite some time.  Palatine nearly leveled the match when #16 sent a terrific attempt on frame from just wide of the goal area and approximately 18 yards off of the endline.  Alex Ruffolo was called upon and made a fantastic save, lifting the ball up just enough to send it into the crossbar instead of the net.  Ruffolo’s effort was a game saving play, keeping the game at 1-0 Barrington.

With six minutes remaining, we saw a flurry of action in the Palatine end and the insurance goal we so desperately wanted came from the foot of Enrico Ruffolo, via a Zach Carbonara “left-footed drive” that found Enrico.  This goal virtually sealed the win for our boys.

Overall it was not the prettiest game we have played, although the second half was a significant improvement from the first.   And in the end, the win gives us 3 valuable points and continues our run of wins (6) since the opening loss to Niles West.

SCORING SUMMARY:

Pallan, Klaus (Hudson Walsh – PK)  — 33rd minute
Ruffolo, Enrico (Zach Carbonara)  — 74th minute